Page 65 of Healer
Hakkar settled into a chair, drawing me into his lap. I cuddled against him, loving the thickening heat I felt at my backside. I squirmed, and he growled in playful warning, hands going to my waist to hold me still. Beside us, Daisy and Daicon cooed to each other, awash with expectant parent bliss, while Clara and Tarook stood wrapped in each other’s arms. Across the table, Khaion had drawn Emmy into an embrace, his chin resting atop her head. The only flaw in this idyllic moment proved to be the gnashing of teeth as Ewok and George chowed down on that awful cake.
I’d treated a child once with ageusia. For those boys to enjoy that pitiful excuse for cake would take more than a temporary loss of taste. They’d have to be completely tongue blind.
“Happy, my Aggie?” Hakkar murmured, his lips trailing over the shell of my ear.
I turned, linking my arms around his neck and pulling his forehead against mine. “So happy. I never thought I’d be able to look forward to the future like I do now. A future with you.” I kissed him and felt Hakkar smile under my lips. It was worth it—all the pain, all the worry… everything that brought me to this moment and him. Totally worth it.
“No matter what the future holds for us, know I will greet it at your side,” Hakkar vowed, sealing his words with a kiss.
“I love you,” I whispered against his lips.
“My mate,” he growled, the sound of which sent a shiver of anticipation along my skin.
I wanted nothing more than to suggest he carry me back to our cabin, but we needed to greet Vienda, Talamus, and Irsayand see them settled. After that, I’d suggest we retire to our cabin and stay there until I was as pregnant as Daisy. For now, though….
I let my mouth linger against Hakkar’s, giving a playful swipe of my tongue against his lips. His hands rested on my neck, holding my face immobile while he tasted my mouth. Not a passionate kiss. This wasn’t the place for that, but a promise of what I could spend the rest of my life enjoying.
My mate.
I loved the word. I loved the idea. I loved Hakkar.
The swish of the door opening broke us apart. I swiveled on Hakkar’s lap in time to see two warriors dressed in leather pants and tunics, the Vaktaire battle garb. Behind them, the small family of Kerzak glanced warily about.
Hakkar stood, lifting me with him. Hand in hand, we walked toward our friends.
Vienda gave a delighted grasp as she noticed us.
“Welcome to the Bardaga,” Hakkar said, grasping Talamus’ forearm in the warrior way of greeting while Vienda and I hugged.
“Agnes!” Irsay hugged my knees before Hakkar swung the furry little girl into his arms, tickling her until she squealed happily.
God! Was this man going to be a perfect father or what? My ovaries were absolutely throbbing at the idea.
“I’m so happy you’re here,” I told Vienda, giving her another quick hug.
“We are happy to have friends here.” Although her dark brown eyes remained wary, she relaxed.
“Let me introduce you to everyone.”
I turned Vienda toward where my friends and their mates lingered by the table, faltering a bit when I realized Ewok had started on his fourth slice of that heinous cake.
Vienda followed the line of my gaze, her body going rigid. A claw-tipped hand went to her lips, not quite in time to stifle her yelp of surprise. Talamus moved to her side, his eyes widening in shock.
Vienda stepped forward, holding out a trembling hand, her brown eyes shimmering.
“Is it you?”
Nobody spoke. I don’t think anyone knew what to do except for Daisy and Daicon, who stepped to their son’s side.
Ewok froze. A spoonful of cake hovering inches from his lips.
“Um... hi?” He sounded like every child I’d ever met when confronted with the unknown. Curious, but with a healthy amount of trepidation.
Hakkar moved to my side, laying a comforting hand in the middle of my back while Irsay looked on in confusion from her perch in his arms.
Vienda trembled, her honey brown eyes shimmering with wetness. Talamus moved excruciatingly slowly, lowering himself to one knee, placing his left fist over his heart, and bowing his head before a befuddled Ewok.
“Prince Alokar Vey, my blade and blood for you.”
